Heyward-Bey works on YAC while Moore, Ford inch closer to returning

Funny how Darrius Heyward-Bey has become almost an after-thought when people talk about the Raiders receiving corps. In a good way.

Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford both missed practice again Tuesday with injuries, while rookies Rod Streater and Juron Criner have been two of the biggest stars of offseason workouts and training camp.

Heyward-Bey? Just quietly going about his business, trying to improve on last season’s 64 catches and 975 yards – the most by a Raiders receiver since 2004.

Heyward-Bey had 490 yards combined his first two seasons, and the No. 7 overall pick in 2009 was labeled a bust by many.

“I never tried to prove anybody wrong,” Heyward-Bey said. “I am the same guy that I was when Al Davis brought me in – hungry, hard-working and never satisfied.”

If you see the 25-year-old Heyward-Bey smiling more often these days than early on in his career, it’s not a sign that he’s satisfied. It’s just a reflection on his new role.

“I’m the old guy in the receivers room now,” he said. “The other guys are always asking me questions, and I kind of like that.”

Heyward-Bey wants to improve on his yards-after-catch this season, and worked hard in cone drills on the field and on single-leg squats in the weight room.

“Plus, you have to understand that it’s a mindset,” he said. “When you have a chance to break tackles, you gotta do that.”

Streater continued to line up opposite Heyward-Bey with the first team Tuesday, as Moore and Ford inch closer to returning in time for Monday’s season-opener against San Diego. Raiders coach Dennis Allen said he is “hopeful.”

Moore (hamstring) ran on the side, forward and backward, and then came onto the practice field to watch up-close, visibly itching to get back in the mix.

Ford jogged Tuesday for the first time since he sprained his left foot. He wore a protective boot for almost two weeks, and recently started catching balls off a JUGS machine.

Can he possibly get back in time for Prime Time?

“Just kind of up in the air at this point,” Ford told reporters. “I just have to see what the coaches and the training staff think. … Last time, it took awhile.”

Ford injured the same foot against the Chargers last season, on Nov. 10, and missed the next six games.

“For it to come back,” Ford said, “that’s kind of frustrating.”

Briefly: Criner actually didn’t fully particiapate in practice, as he is favoring his ankle, though Allen said it’s not a big deal. … Kicker Sebastian Janikowski was excused from Tuesday’s practice for personal reasons. The Raiders are off today.